MIDDLETOWN - It was too big a hole in the end for the Mater Dei Prep football team to overcome.

The Seraphs, playing their first game since Friday's announcement by both Mater Dei Prep and the NJSIAA that head coach Dino Mangierio and offensive coordinator Lance Bennett were suspended from being on site for games the remainder of the season, had their 17-game winning streak snapped in a 28-26 defeat to Delbarton in a nonconference game at Robert T. Bulman Stadium.

Mater Dei Prep (5-1), which rallied from deficits of 21-3 in the second quarter and 28-10 at halftime, pulled within 28-26 on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by quarterback George Pearson with 10 seconds left that capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive that began with 1:44 left.

However, Pearson's attempted game-tying 2-point conversion pass was batted down by Delbarton senior safety Anthony Siragusa, the son of former NFL player Tony Siragusa.

Delbarton then recovered the ensuing onsides kick.

Mangierio, who is in his second season at Mater Dei and Bennett, who is also the school's athletic director, were suspended for NJSIAA rules infractions. They are both allowed to be with the team at practices during the week, but prohibited from having any contact with the other coaches or players on game days.

Shannon Hoadley, Mater Dei Prep's head coach in 2015, is the Seraphs' acting head coach on game days.

The winning streak, which was the longest current one in the Shore Conference, dated back to the start of the 2016 season, or when Mangierio began his tenure at Mater Dei.

Delbarton (2-6), which has played a tough schedule that has included most of the nonpublic powers in North Jersey, woh the game with its special teams.

The Green Wave, who have won two straight, blocked two punts - one of which was scooped up and returned 14 yards for the game's first touchdown by Michael Jarmolowich. The second blocked punt set up Delbarton's third TD - a 13-yard TD pass from quarterback Miles Leniw to Sean Link.
An 86-yard kickoff return by Paul Spada to the Mater Dei 9 set up the Green Wave's second TD - a 2-yard run by Siragusa.

The special teams plays enabled Delbarton to offset Mater Dei Prep's 360-179 advantage in total yards and 72-32 advantage in plays run.

Offensive Game Ball: Even though his team did not win, Pearson showed the skill-set that has earned him a scholarship to Central Michigan. He has a live arm, is strong and is a fierce competitor. He willed the Seraphs down the field in the final 1:44 by constantly being able to get away from the pass rush and shaking off would-be tacklers.

Defensive Game Ball: Siragusa for knocking down the 2-point conversion pass that would have sent the game into overtime with Mater Dei Prep having all the momentum.

Turning point: The first blocked punt. It set the tone for a first half in which nothing went right for Mater Dei Prep and everything went right for Delbarton.

They said it

Delbarton coach Brian Bowers on how Mater Dei Prep handled the adversity it faced this week:

"I was very impressed with how they came out. Obviously, their coaches rallied the troops. They did a good job. It didn't seem like there was any issue with their organization. They handled that very proud on their end. They should be proud and their kids should be proud. They're a very good football team. We're proud to get this win against an undefeated team.''

Bowers on Pearson:

"Not only is he a real good passer. He's real physical. He's hard to bring down. I'm sure a lot of people have tough time bring that kid to the ground.

Mater Dei Prep's coaches and players kept their comments to the game itself.

Shannon Hoadley on how his team responded:

"I'm proud of our boys effort today. I think we showed the heart of a champion, which this whole program is built on right now that we face adversity and we overcome. To come out in the second half and play the way we did, I couldn't be prouder. I think everyone feels the same way.''

Hoadley on how the Mater Dei players will respond to their first loss in two seasons

"After the effort they showed in the second half, there's no question that we'll bounce back even stronger. They showed everyone that it's just one little bump in the road that we have our eyes on the prize for the state playoffs and going as far as we can. There's no questions about that.''

Hoadley on whether the week was filled with distractions;

"It was no distraction to us whatsoever. We preach as coaches to our student athletes that's why this is the greatest game in the world. It's going to teach you adversity and it's going to teach you a ton of life lessons. This was no adversity at all.''

Mater Dei Prep senior wide receiver Kyle Devaney on what the Mater Dei players found out about themselves with the way they rallied in the second half.

"We're always going to stay together. We're going to keep our heads up and fight to the end. We played our hearts out.''

Up Next: Mater Dei Prep hosts Point Pleasant Beach (5-3, 3-1) next Saturday in a game in which it can clinch the outright Shore Conference Class B Central championship for the second straight season. Delbarton hosts Paramus Catholic (3-5) next Saturday,